Overview & Reviews

At the dawn of the automobile, Oldsmobile was there. Owned by General Motors, Oldsmobile was the most senior domestic marque and one of the oldest automobile brands in the world, with a run that spanned some 107 years.

Ransom E. Olds was born in Ohio, but moved to Lansing, Michigan, to work in his father's machine shop. His experiences there helped whet his appetite for all things automotive, and he soon garnered enough expertise to develop a gasoline-powered vehicle. Joining forces with other partners, Olds cofounded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company in 1897. By the early 1900s, the company had introduced the nation to upscale models like the Curved Dash and had risen to become the best-selling car company in the United States.

Ransom Olds eventually left the company and it was sold to General Motors in 1908, where it became known as the Oldsmobile Division. More than ever, Oldsmobile became the brand of choice for car buyers seeking vehicles steeped in luxury and sophistication. Early models like the 1915 Model 42 Touring Roadster offered sleek lines and style aplenty. The 1918 Model 37 was its first model to offer a closed top, ensuring that the brand's well-heeled buyers had protection from the elements.

Oldsmobile had another hit in the 1920s with the Model 46, a V8-powered touring car that seated seven. The manufacturer did its part to make sure that the decade's elegance wasn't lost on its automobiles. It introduced fancy chrome-plated trim that served to raise the glamour quotient of its already eye-catching vehicles.

The '30s was a decade of innovation for the brand. The company wooed customers with its "Knee-Action" independent front suspension, an affordably priced option that served to improve ride quality. The company also offered one of the earliest automatic transmissions, freeing drivers from the rigors of the clutch with its four-speed "Hydra-matic" system.

Postwar, Oldsmobile gave consumers the Rocket 88. The car offered new levels of performance, giving the North American market its first taste of the short-stroke, overhead-valve V8. The car was adored by enthusiasts, and was chosen to serve as the pace car for the 1949 Indy 500.

The 1950s saw Olds continuing to distinguish itself as a purveyor of fine performance machines. With a name inspired by the Lockheed Starfire fighter plane, its 1953 Starfire show car offered a fiberglass body, a stylishly low beltline and most importantly, a 200-horsepower engine. The car was one of the first to display a wraparound windshield, and in the years following, many other manufacturers adopted this styling cue.

Oldsmobile's innovations continued into the 1960s. The manufacturer was the first since the 1930s Cord to taste success with a front-wheel-drive vehicle, in the form of its sporty Toronado. The '70s saw Olds breaking new ground in the area of safety. In 1974, it introduced a Toronado equipped with a driver-side airbag; Olds was the first domestic automaker to offer this feature. Around this time, the company's Cutlass had also become one of America's favorite cars.

Less successful was the company's effort to get on board with diesel technology. In 1978, Oldsmobile introduced a 5.7-liter V8 diesel engine as a response to that decade's fuel crisis; the engine was meant to appeal to buyers desperate to save money at the pump. Rising diesel prices and the unreliability of the engines caused the program to suffer, and Oldsmobile was eventually forced to terminate its efforts on this front.

In the '80s, Oldsmobile left its competitors in the dust when its Aerotech — piloted by noted racecar driver A.J. Foyt — set a closed-course world speed record of 257 mph. The company continued to have a huge hit with its Cutlass; the model spent much of the decade atop the sales charts.

The '90s saw Oldsmobile's introduction of Guidestar, the first onboard navigation system combining mapping and satellite positioning. The company made history yet again when its race-modified Aurora V8 won the Indy 500, making Olds the first manufacturer to pace and win the race in the same year.

By the dawn of the new millennium, Oldsmobile's sales were in a rut. The brand's identity had suffered over the years due to parts-sharing and rebadging within the GM camp. GM ultimately decided to pull the plug, and the last Oldsmobile rolled off the assembly line in model-year 2004.

User Reviews:

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  An Excellent Family car - 1996 Oldsmobile Ciera
  By Jammin in Jersey - July 22 - 2:00 am

  I have had this car for almost 7 years, and it has almost 105k miles. The performance, comfort, and reliability is still there. There have been absolutely no problems with this car. This car with over 100k miles rides and is quieter than my nephews brand new Accord V-6. Interior is a bit drab, but there is a lot of space. This is a great budget buy used because if you maintain it regularly, it will outlast your friends japanese and german cars.

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  2nd Bravada - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By Bill Gerber - July 22 - 2:00 am

  With minor issues, i.e. mirrors/radio, not working, dealer was clueless and treated me like I was stupid; what I was reporting as problems didnt exist. Car lost a piston -would not keep car. GM (Olds) would not help and dealer took me to the cleaners on trade in depreciation for another new Bravada; my course of least resistance. The newest Bravada has some of the same problems as the first; mirrors do not work properly in reverse mode; radio will not hold settings. My last GM car. Thank the lord Olds is going out of business. Nice vehicle but a piece of crap in my 2 Bravada experience.

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  My new car - 2002 Oldsmobile Alero
  By toronto30 - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Awesome!!!

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  Unbelievably unreliable - 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By BlueBravada - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Nice vehicle as far as comfort and ride, but unbelievable amount or repairs required. Right off the bat was sent letter from GM saying sorry, forget to line the piston cylinders, so engine may fail at any time. Warranty was extended on that engine part only, too bad it wasnt the entire car. Four wheel drive system has self activated and permanently locked four times, requiring an approx 2000 repair. Air shocks in rear deflated to the ground daily for years, but dealer couldnt diagnose (or "duplicate") the problem until the warranty expired (new air shocks- duh). Water pump died several times. Expensive bearing repair in front cost 2000. Auto mirrors had a mind of their own.

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  Bought as a program car in 2004 - 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By Richard - July 20 - 10:53 am

  Wonderful van. City MPG is 24 at 94,000 miles. Hwy MPG is 27-28 at 65-70 MPH with air running. Only problem was rear brake cylinders leaking at 68,000. Has been serviced regular.

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  Great Value with Luxury Features - 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette
  By lady16 - July 16 - 10:00 am

  Have had this vehicle for 1 1/2 years now. Love most things about it very much. Have had problems with windshield visibility when it rains. Been to dealers and talked to Olds but still not able to remove the greasy appearing circles in the line of sight. All else is great. Lots of room lots of comfort and great for 3 cross country trips so far. Van holds up very nicely.

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  Could have been designed better - 2000 Oldsmobile Bravada
  By NomoreGMs - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Bought this vehicle (for wife)used with 20k miles on it. Reportedly an off-lease vehicle. The vehicle is a gas hog. It gets slightly better mileage than my Quad-cab Doge Ram 1500 that weighs 4500 pounds. The Bravadas transmission gave out at 42000 miles. My wifes last GM had a transmission replaced at 30K miles and my last GMC Sierra had tranmission rebuilt at 37000 miles. The vehicle is underpowered. You have to floor-it to get out of your own way. With a little ingenuity, this car should have been GMs flagship. This car should have a V-8 rather than the 4.3 V-6. Climate control should have been digital - instead of knobs.

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  Worst Car Ever Owned; A Real Lemon - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By joners - July 11 - 9:09 am

  Paid 8,000 for car and put 3,000 into engine, mostly seals, major problem in coolent system, cracked engine block, the list goes on and on.... this was the worst engine GM ever built, I dont reccommend it. Replaced fuel pump, then it was needing repairs twice a year. Joined a class action lawsuit and GM got out of it by filing bankruptcy. If your buying an Alero plan on spending alot for repairs, due to cheap parts and a poorly running engine.

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  alero review - 2003 Oldsmobile Alero
  By Aida Reyes - July 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is quite strong. I was in an accident with a Chevy Tahoe that broadsided my alero on the passenger side and the Tahoe went away hurting. My alero was messed up inside but I was able to walk away a little banged up, but alive. Good car.

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  What, me worried? - 1998 Oldsmobile Aurora
  By Blurondo - July 2 - 10:00 am

  The car is over six years old, has 92,000 mi. and it still performs like it did when I got it in 2000. Great for city or highway driving; 18+ mpg in town and 23+ mpg on long trips. Rising gas prices have generated thoughts of switching to something else but I dont think I could stand the shock. Had to replace the directional switch, apparently not totally uncommon, for an uncommon price of $550.00.